Race Reports and Results
Winton Historics 2008
The Winton Historics 2008 had over 240 competitors with motorcycles and vehicles dating from pre-war race cars, to 1970 muscle cars.
This year, due to the size and number of Group S competitors, Sc (1970-1978 model cars) were grouped to run with the M, O, Q Sport Cars. Whilst this was not something that was ideal from the competitor standpoint, it was the only way to allow all Group S cars to run. Group Sa and Sb had 26 starters, which was a great turn out.
Practice on Friday afternoon after the 3 hour drive up to Winton was all about setting tyres and checking out who would be the main competition. Ian Ross and George Nittis in their Shelby GT350's would be quick in a straight line, but how would they go on the twisty Winton short track? Brian Weston in his 1971 MG Sprite is always quick and nimble as would the TR4 and TR6.
For me, last year in this event I did a personal best of around around 1.13, so a time in the 11's or 12's would have been great. My personal in car lap timer on Friday had me at 1.11.4, so I was very happy with that. Now it was down to qualifying.
Saturday morning and qualifying was upon us. I knew that because of the large field and that getting a good grid position was key. I was first on the dummy grid and entered the track with clean air. I quickly warmed the tyres, and set about setting a quick lap, knowing that I would only have about 3 laps before reaching lapped traffic. I also set my tyres slightly higher to ensure that the tyres were 'on' sooner rather than later. My plan worked, and I set a 1.11.7 which put me in 2nd position on the grid for the first race later that afternoon. Ian Ross was on pole with Brian Weston in 3rd.
Race 1 was the second last race of the day on the schedule, and the sun was proving to be very glary coming into the esses. I knew that had to get a great start to at least give myself a chance of holding out Ian Ross who was approx 1 second a lap quicker than I was. At the drop of the flag I got a great start, and was first into turn 1. Ian was able to hold out Brian and be second into Turn 1, and the chase was on. Three quarters of the way through the first lap the red flags were out after an incident at Turn 2 claimed two cars. A restart would take place - damn, or so I thought.
The restart of the race, again I knew I had to get a similar start to the previous one. Again I got a cracking start and led into Turn 1. This time Ian spun into Turn 1, leaving him to get back on the track and make his way back through the field from last. Knowing that Brian was very similar in pace to myself, I set about driving as quickly and cleanly as possible to make a break. I did, and after the 4 laps race (shortened from 5 due to the restart), I came home for my first outright victory.
Race 2 the following morning I was starting pole, thanks to the victory the afternoon before. A little wheel spin and missing 2nd gear and selecting 4th instead, I had to work hard to be first into Turn 1 but did. Ian had finished in 11th from Race 1, and was in 5th by Turn 2. I knew I had to drive the wheels of my little car. After 6 laps, 2 from the finish, Ian had reeled me in, and I was relegated to 2nd. I remained there finishing approx 2 seconds behind Ian after the 8 lap feature race, with Brian third.
Race 3 was a handicap race, and both Brian and I started from the rear of the field. Ian Ross decided not to race as it was not a point score race. We gave the first cars approx 47 head start. It was going to be tough work to get through 19 cars. I managed to finish 6th, which I thought given the number of cars on the track and how hard it is to pass at Winton on the short circuit, was a good result.
Overall a great weekend and very happy to come away with the car in once piece and 4 trophies! 1st, 2nd, and 6th outright, and winning my class on all counts.
Looking forward to the Winton Long Track event later in the year.
Click here to see the videos of the race